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Homo Consumericus

Humans face an inexorable problem: They are aware of their mortality. Many religions offer “solutions” to this grand existential angst. Simply believe the particular religious narrative and you shall be granted eternal life. On this note, a recent study, conducted across three countries, sheds light on the relationship between fear of death and religiosity.

Do most women prefer the smooth skin of a man’s hairless chest or do they exhibit a penchant for a somewhat hairy chest? Also, are there personal, cultural, and situational factors that shape women’s preference on this particular trait?

How do men and women decide when they have acquired sufficient information to either choose or reject a prospective mate? Are there any sex differences when it comes to the extent of mate search prior to making a decision?

Are prayers a means for achieving communion with the divine or are they often meant to address very earthly concerns? A recent study linking income to the frequency and content of prayers sheds light on this issue.

Two Australian-based ethicists recently proposed that the conditions that might render abortion a moral practice should also extend to the killing of newborns, and then coined the practice after-birth abortion!

Which types of pornographic scenes do men prefer? Here are three possibilities: (1) two or more women having sex with one man; (2) two or more men having sex with one woman; (3) two or more women having sex with two or more men. Make your prediction prior to reading on!

Do all infant cries sound alike or are parents able to discriminate among cries and identify those stemming from their child? Also, are mothers and fathers equally adept in this auditory discrimination task?

Does the social status of a given man affect the perception that people will have of his height? In other words, can the same man be viewed as taller or shorter depending on whether he is described as possessing high or low status? Read on for an oldie but goodie study that tackled this exact issue.

Numerous studies have found that men’s attractiveness ratings of a woman increase if she is associated with the color red. In a provocative new study, researchers tested the red effect when applied to women’s genitalia. Is redder better? To all the lovers out there, Happy Valentine’s Day!

A compelling aspect of evolutionary psychology is its ability to explain endless phenomena in our daily lives from the most mundane to the most profound. Doug Kenrick’s recently released paperback “Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life” strikes the perfect balance in explaining deep evolutionary principles in an engaging and highly entertaining style.

If you could live your life without any knowledge of mortality (as is the case with our animal cousins), would you choose this option? Prior to answering this question, you might wish to familiarize yourself with the cautionary tale of Hachi, the infinitely loyal dog.

Should parents offer their children gender-neutral toys to avoid the promulgation of “sexist gender stereotypes”? Or might it be the case that toy preferences are a manifestation of universal sex-specific biological forces, and as such are perfectly expected? Toy manufacturers seem to be keenly aware of the correct answer.

Anti-porn advocates often proclaim that porn actresses are “damaged goods.” Supposedly they're more likely to: (1) have been victims of childhood sexual abuse, (2) be psychologically damaged and (3) use alcohol and other substances to numb the pain. A recent study sheds some light.

Are all cultures equal? Should new immigrants be encouraged to reject the defining ethos of their host culture if it clashes with that of their origins? The answer is “yes” and “yes” if you are an adherent of the political philosophy of Multiculturalism (capitalized to distinguish the term from its colloquial use).

Why do so many social scientists and lay people alike believe that we are born with empty minds that are subsequently infinitely malleable by “arbitrary” socialization forces? The answer lies in the endless quest for hope.